Living With Epilepsy

Overview

If you've been diagnosed with epilepsy, you may be facing some unexpected challenges. But epilepsy doesn't have to take over your life. Use these simple strategies to help control it.

Follow your care plan

First, make sure to follow all of your doctor's recommendations. Take your medications as prescribed. Be open and honest with your doctor. And if you have any concerns, speak up.

Manage stress

Stress sets off an alarm in your body. It causes a physical reaction. It can affect your hormones, heart rate and blood pressure. For many people, stress can trigger seizures. So keep your stress levels under control.

Get enough sleep

Being sleep deprived is a common trigger for seizures. So you need to focus on getting enough sleep every night. That's hard sometimes, because epilepsy and epilepsy medications can interfere with sleep. But it's important to make sleep a priority.

Focus on health

Eat a healthy diet, and get regular exercise. Staying fit can help your body and your mind.

Share with others

Finally, don't ignore your emotional health. For many people, epilepsy affects how they feel. If you notice that you feel anxious, irritable or depressed and these emotions don't seem to go away, seek help. Talk to your doctor. Tell a loved on or a friend. Medications or counseling may be helpful for you.

Conclusion

At times, living with epilepsy can be scary and difficult. But you can do it. With help from your doctor, your loved ones and your friends, you can manage it successfully.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.